From Tokyo with Love! Hikaru Noguchi, Mimstermade and More!

Loop is at its best when it’s full of friends. And that’s just what it will be on Friday 2 August when our dear friend Hikaru Noguchi visits from Tokyo for an informal evening in the shop!

We have been totally in love with Hikaru’s innovative and thoughtful approach to darning for years. Her exquisite and unique darning tools are some of our favourites to stock and always quick to fly off the shelves. And the many workshops she has hosted at Loop over the years have always been super inspiring. Hikaru truly elevates mending techniques to an art in their own right. Instead of simply using her stitches to repair worn garments (which she also does beautifully, of course), she creates brand new beautiful and intricate items.

We are so looking forward to Hikaru’s visit to Loop in August, and we’re so happy to be able to invite you to share an evening with her. Our Meet + Greet in the shop on Friday 2 August is going to be just like meeting up with your favourite group of crafting buddies to kick off the weekend — only one of them happens to be a world-renowned textile artist.

In addition to having a great catch-up and chatting about stitching techniques and tools, we’ll be celebrating Hikaru’s book Beyond Darning: Creative Mending Techniques, which has just been published in English for the first time and should be arriving in the shop any day! Plus, we have some very special treats for guests. First of all all our embroidery and darning materials (including books!) will be 10% off for those who attend, offering a perfect chance to stock up. Even more special, Hikaru is bringing some super beautiful brooch kits with her so you can make a Hikaru-style brooch with all the finest materials. We’ll have some light refreshments available too.

We really hope to see you there, so reserve your spot today!

Miyuki Matsuo Embroidered Bird Totes

Also just in from Japan are adorable new Embroidered Bird Totes featuring designs by the artist Miyuki Matsuo. Though petite, these bags are made of sturdy material, and the beautiful decorations on the front and back give them a totally unique feel. Miyuki got her start as a vintage clothing buyer in Paris before becoming an illustrator in Japan. We love seeing her designs on bags, tape, and other little pieces of joy.

Mimstermade Books Have Arrived!

Speaking of total stitching joy from Tokyo, two of Tomomi Mimura’s books have landed in the shop! Both a restock of the original Embroidery Sewed with the Darning Stitch and the brand new third instalment of the series. These are such a wonderful books, and a fantastic addition to any crafter’s shelf. Tomomi’s use of texture and colour set her creative work apart, and this book is the perfect way to explore all the techniques she uses to do so. Embroidery Sewed with the Darning Stitch has been out of stock for a while and we are so, so pleased to have more copies!

Enjoy your stitches, and we hope to see you at our Hikaru Noguchi event on 2 August!